Love, Forgiveness and Gratitude

Love, Forgiveness and Gratitude by Pat Campbell

I get so frustrated with the futility of people's lives. Most people are so concerned with trivialities and protocol that they completely fail to see the reasons why they are here on earth. I don't mean that we should be irresponsible - there are some things that need to be done to earn a living or for the sake of safety or hygiene. And of course it's always a good idea to pay your bills on time. But does it really matter if you didn't watch a particular TV show tonight or if you ate tea an hour later than usual? Some people's lives are so regimented that they are not consciously aware of what they are doing most of the time; most of their everyday functions are performed on autopilot.

And does it really matter if you don't have the latest DVD, the fanciest mobile phone or more clothes than you can possibly fit into your wardrobe? I think many people need to get their priorities right! There are only three things in life that really matter - love, forgiveness and gratitude. Get these right and nothing else really matters; everything else will fall into place without a struggle. Of course you will still have challenges in your life but they will no longer seem insurmountable. Solutions will present themselves much more readily!

It isn't a coincidence that nearly all the songs we hear on the radio are about love because love really is what "makes the world go round". Without love we are nothing. I am not referring specifically to romantic love, we can love in many different ways. But the love of God goes beyond any mortal feelings. I would never have believed that a few short years ago. Regardless of what some religions may preach about God being jealous or demanding, that isn't true. God is pure love, nothing else. He loves us all without reservation, without judgment, no matter what we do in our lives or even if we believe in His existence. Hate is self destructive; it never hurts the person it is aimed at, only ourselves. Love is a much better solution.

We tend to think that when we have problems that someone else is to blame. But that is not the case at all. It is our own perception of the situation. We blame others so that we can avoid looking at the real issue behind the problem. Problems occur for one reason only and that is so we may learn a lesson. And that lesson is often about forgiveness.

Do you want a better life than what you have right now? I think most of us do. An important factor in improving your life is gratitude. When we take a little time each day to give thanks for what we have, we will open a channel to receive more of the good things. This is just the way the universe works. Thank God for the gifts you receive every day, thank your partner for being with you (and maybe putting up with your bad habits), thank your friends for being there for you when you need them, thank your children for choosing you to be their parent (and yes, we do choose our own parents before we incarnate into a human body). There are many things to give thanks for every day.

So life isn't about blame, it's about learning forgiveness. It isn't about hate, it's a lesson in love. And it isn't about resentment, it's a lesson in gratitude. As we learn these lessons and incorporate them into our daily living, the quality of our lives is vastly improved. And you will feel different because your life will be more peaceful and harmonious than it ever has been before. And you will attract a great deal more of what is good into your life.

After being agnostic for most of my life, I became a believer just a few years ago and I have been on an amazing spiritual journey ever since. Spirituality is now a way of life for me; it isn't just what I think, it is what I feel. I have been very blessed to have received considerable spiritual wisdom and experiences and I want to share it with my fellow souls.